It was a bitterly cold December day, and Cosette was pulling on her wool-lined gloves before heading out with her husband to look at the building they were going to buy for their factory.

In the past few weeks, it seemed like everything had fallen into place. Cosette was confident that this was what her father would have wanted her to do, confident that this was why he had written that letter to her. Those instructions had been so specific... he must have been trying to send her some kind of message, right?

Well, Papa, she thought. I hope we're doing this right.

Marius knew a man through his law firm that was familiar with business, Monsieur Marc Beliveau. The two of them were partners on this project. They had gotten in touch with a lot of stiff businessmen Cosette found stale, but she was glad they were helping out with her idea and her plan. Within the first few weeks, it became very clear that there was a wide range of interested people who needed the jobs that this factory would provide. With the right people involved in starting the company, it could easily work. With the right people in charge, she knew, anything could happen. She didn't hear everything that went on with the business, but when she heard that they were looking at buildings, she had absolutely insisted upon coming along.

Reviving an old business was not as difficult as it seemed; it was getting the product to sell to sell that was the problem. And after spending lots of money getting it made, it was crucial that the jewelery sell, otherwise the factory could not stay open. For the time being, however, she had an easy mind. She felt that she was doing the right thing, and that she was helping get her father's will spread.

"We'll have to name the factory after him," she had told Marius. He had agreed.

Marius was far and away the youngest man involved with this project, but his opinion still mattered. However, his age compared with his inexperience with the subject prevented him from having a hugely active role in starting the business, despite the fact that he would own the factory.

Marius only admitted it sometimes, on nights when he was tired and sick of talking about the business, but he would be content to stay home most days and not have this hefty project on his hands. However, Cosette had pleaded with him, and he could not deny her. Not when he knew her idea was a good one. It wasn't something outrageous: she was smart. She was right. And she had given him something to do, which was worth something. Keeping him busy was thoughtful made him feel alive again: now he went to bed with his mind actively working, clicking away with ideas. Different from going to bed, dull with tire and heavy with grief. He was finally thinking again, even if it was about business, something he didn't like.

She promised him that once the factory took off, they could sell it to someone 'good and trustworthy.' The person they would sell it to would be in charge then, but the company would still live on in her father's name.

"We'll have time to ourselves again," she said. "Just getting this started is important to me. Once it's started, we can have a quiet life again."

This kept him going.

The building that was to hold the factory was not so much a building as a huge, empty space. She clutched her coat around her in the drafty room, watching as her breath showed up in the air in front of her.

"We'll need to put in a few fireplaces," she said, giving a short laugh. Then she looked at the ugly, broken stone floor. "And also a carpet, I think." But from what she could see, there was a lot of work to be done. "Where is everything we'll need to make the jewelry?"

"Well, Madame," Monsieur Beliveau condescended, "We'd have to buy all that and have it put in here, so those poor people can work. The factory is not done yet. This is just an empty building."

"Thank you, Monsieur. Forgive me, I did not realize this building was empty," she said innocently, before exchanging a glance with Marius, who was trying not to laugh.

"Anyway," he continued. "In a few months, if we get men working in here, this will be painted and have some offices, tables, and equipment and be fit for people to work in. It's amazing how quickly a building can evolve when you get the right people working on it."

It was decided that day. The building had what they needed, and would be a good start.

When they returned home, Cosette pleaded with Marius not to leave Monsieur Beliveau in charge when they sold the factory. "He'll condescend to everyone working there! We need someone warmer, someone who will carry on father's wishes, and hire people who really need the work."

"I know- he isn't the best to work with, but he knows what he's talking about and he's vital to the project. We couldn't do it without him. I don't like him to much either, but there's no one better. You'll have to stand him until we're done."

She shrugged. "I'm just glad this is actually happening!"

She wrapped her arms around Marius' neck and kissed him. "Thank you so much, my darling husband. Have I told you how much I love you for this?"

"Not enough," he sighed, but then smiled and kissed her back.

The next few weeks were some of the busiest of Marius' life. The factory was physically taking shape, becoming fit for humans to work in. The business was taking shape as well. Plans were drawn up. More and more people were hired. Even orders for materials had been placed, and there was talk that by March workers could be hired.

On the home front, Cosette and Marius had taken a silent vow not to talk about children anymore. He knew not to mention it, for fear of Cosette bursting into tears. It had happened enough times that he now avoided the subject as well as he could.

After a month and a half of careful rest issued by a doctor, she had been able to resume her regular activities. Her stuffed herself into her corsets, glad at least that she could fit into her old dresses again. She went for long strolls outside. It seemed everything had gone back to normal, and both of them were relieved and grateful when they were able to make love again.

However, it was still obvious that she wanted a child. Though they did not mention it again, the thoughts did not leave her mind. But Cosette had calmed down. After all, she had lots of time. She wasn't going to just dry up one day and become old- or, it wouldn't happen soon anyway (she hoped). In a strange way, she was almost glad they didn't have to be parents the first time. She knew that she was still very girlish when that had happened, and that she was not ready to be a mother.

The miscarriage had shaken her up significantly, it was true, but she had come through alright. She had learned, she had grown, and the woman in her was dawning. Her youth was slipping away more and more, and she felt ready to be a woman. But she was willing to wait as long as it took until she was pregnant again. She didn't let her mind dwell on the fact.

That was why she was so surprised when her monthly period was a week late in December. She kept very quiet about it, waiting another week before mentioning it to Marius before bed one night.

"I don't want to say anything yet- just in case something happens again," she said, and he agreed.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"I am this time, I think. If, you know... it stays," she said, barely even daring to speak about the pregnancy.

She passed on wine at dinner each night, and they called in a doctor. It was confirmed: she was pregnant. However, Marius had insisted on not telling anyone until she was three months pregnant, for which Cosette was grateful.

Late at night, she would let her mind dwell over the last year of her life. It seemed to be the most significant yet: her marriage, her father's death, her first pregnancy and miscarriage, the business.... it played in her mind vividly, and she thought even further back, to those evenings with Marius in the garden. They were children back then, she knew, and almost couldn't believe how different she was then. After Marius' brush with death and everything that had happened this year, she felt as though she had aged five years in one, and couldn't say she was ungrateful for it.

So, slowly but surely, 1833 turned to 1834, and Marius and Cosette carefully prepared themselves for another child, and for a new chapter of their lives.